LIVE coronavirus updates as Health Secretary announces the government is to open a hospital next week to deal with the illness

Good afternoon on Tuesday, March 24, as we bring you the latest coronavirus updates from across the North East and UK.
By Kevin Clark and Ryan Smith
Published 24th Mar 2020, 07:09 BST
Updated 25th Mar 2020, 11:32 BST
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK into lockdown last night, with non-essential shops told to close and public gatherings of more than two people who don’t share a household banned.

The move came after Public Health England figures showed 335 people had died due to the virus, with 6,650 cases recorded so far.

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Two people have died from coronavirus at hospitals run by Sunderland and South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, it was confirmed yesterday, Monday, March 23.

From left: Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries and Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Photo: PA.From left: Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries and Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Photo: PA.
From left: Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries and Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Photo: PA.

The news came as NHS England confirmed the UK death toll now stood at 303 on March 23.

The organisation said two coronavirus deaths had been confirmed at hospitals run by Sunderland and South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust.

Click here for our interactive map of the virus spread.

Related topics:Health SecretaryBoris JohnsonNorth EastSunderlandPublic Health EnglandNHS England